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Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department

Office of the Fire Marshal


1225 Courthouse Road, PO BOX 339, Stafford, VA 22555
(540) 658-7200 FAX (540) 658-4545 www.staffordfirerescue.com/fm

Guidelines and Specifications For:


Underground Fire Lines and
Fire Department Connections (FDC)
Applicable Codes and Standards:
VSFPC - Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (2009)
SCWSS Stafford County Water and Sewer Standards
NFPA 24, Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Mains (2007)
NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Automatic Sprinkler Systems (2007)

Underground Fire Lines


Location Code Section
Underground Fire Lines (sprinkler system supply lines and FDC lines) should enter NFPA 13,
a building in a designated sprinkler room with a door to the exterior. Otherwise an 8.16.1.1.1
underground vault and exterior Post-Indicating-Valve (PIV) may be required. A
designated sprinkler room is strongly encouraged.
Unless a designated sprinkler room is provided, a listed PIV is required on the NFPA 13,
sprinkler supply line and no other valves are permitted between the riser and street 8.16.1.1.1.2
valve.
Site plans must include a detail (elevation view) for the piping and riser entering NFPA 13, 10.6.1
under and into the building. Piping is not permitted to run under buildings but shall
enter up through the slab as soon as it enters the building.
Piping Code Section
All piping for Fire Lines and FDC lines shall be of Ductile Iron Piping and comply SCWSS 2.4.1
with the SCWSS for installation. Pipe size shall be at least 6 unless calculated.
Minimum depth of cover required is 42 inches and at least 18 inches of separation is SCWSS 2.1.12
required between other piping. and 1.3.2.3
All piping must be fully restrained. Any 90 degree bends must include thrust blocks SCWSS 2.5.4 and
unless other calculated methods of restraint are provided and approved. NFPA 13, 10.8.1.1
All piping must be wrapped with a minimum .8 mil thick approved polyethylene SCWSS 3.4.1
plastic

Fire Department Connections


Location Code Section
FDCs must be located on the front, street side of a building. An FDC may be free- NFPA 13,
standing or building mounted. 8.17.2.4.6
A fire hydrant must be located within 50 feet of the FDC. SCWSS 2.1.4(B)
The connections on the FDC must be located at least 18 inches but not more than NFPA 13, 8.17.2
48 inches from grade level. The FDC must be visible, and free from obstructions. and VSFPC 912.3
Where free-standing FDCs are provided, the site plan shall include a detail NFPA 13, 8.17.2.6
(elevation view) of the installation.
Size Code Section
The two connections on the FDC must be female 2 inch NST with caps. NFPA 24, 5.9.2
Where the calculated sprinkler demand area exceeds 750 GPM, an additional 2 NFPA 13, 8.17.2.3
inch connection must be provided. Where more than 1000 GPM is necessary, a 4
inch Storz connection should be provided along with the two 2 inch connections.
Signs Code Section
All FDCs must be provided with Stafford County Standard FDC signs. See the VSFPC 912.4
Stafford County FDC Sign Guideline for information and the MANDITORY detail.

Underground Fire Line and Fire Department Connection Guidelines - Updated 5/23/2011
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Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department
Office of the Fire Marshal
1225 Courthouse Road, PO BOX 339, Stafford, VA 22555
(540) 658-7200 FAX (540) 658-4545 www.staffordfirerescue.com/fm

Sample Design Details

FDC and Fire Protection System Riser Details Code Section


SCWSS 5.2,
NFPA 13, 8.17.2
and Figure
A.10.8.3

Underground Fire Line and Fire Department Connection Guidelines - Updated 5/23/2011
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